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The rectangular survey system is based on '''''principal meridians ''''' and '''''base lines ''''' determined by precise scientific measurements. As each territory or state opened new public lands, the government identified a meridian (running north and south) and a base line (running east and west) to guide all future land surveys in that area.<ref name="Hawkins">Kenneth Hawkins, ''Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office: Record Group 49'', Reference Information Paper, 114 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007), 9. {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}} {{FHL|1440124|item|disp=FHL Ref Book 973 J53hrL}}</ref> | The rectangular survey system is based on '''''principal meridians ''''' and '''''base lines ''''' determined by precise scientific measurements. As each territory or state opened new public lands, the government identified a meridian (running north and south) and a base line (running east and west) to guide all future land surveys in that area.<ref name="Hawkins">Kenneth Hawkins, ''Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office: Record Group 49'', Reference Information Paper, 114 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007), 9. {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}} {{FHL|1440124|item|disp=FHL Ref Book 973 J53hrL}}</ref> | ||
[[File:U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png|647px]] | |||
Use the following website to locate principal meridians in the United States. Click on an area of the map to enlarge it: | Use the following website to locate principal meridians in the United States. Click on an area of the map to enlarge it: | ||